As the Japan/America Society of Kentucky celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization’s President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky.
For Carpenter, the State of Kentucky and Japan enjoy a “robust and dynamic” relationship that runs deeper than any official document because of their shared core values, namely respect for deep family ties, a commitment to lasting relationships, and dedication to strong work ethic. He further points to these shared values as the bedrock and main drivers of growth behind the booming Japan-Kentucky relationship. With nearly 200 Japanese-owned companies operating in the state today, Japan is the largest foreign investor in Kentucky.
“Kentucky has 120 counties. Yet, everybody that you talk to has some connection to Japan. I have a brother that works at Toyota. My son studies Japanese. My grandchildren are interested in anime and Pokemon,” said Carpenter, who emphasized how these shared connections are crucial to effectively bridging cultural and communication gaps between communities.
“If you want to form really strong bonds, your conversations have to go beyond the workplace,” the honorary consul added.
A good example of how the Japan/America Society of Kentucky nurtures these relationships is through its language classes, golf tournaments, and other community programs that have paved the way for favorable personal and business relationships.
What’s the future of the Japan-Kentucky relationship?
If the billions of dollars from new Japanese investments across a diverse range of sectors is any indication, like Jim Beam, Envision AESC, Toyota, the link between Japan and Kentucky looks stronger than ever. And the fruits of those ties go beyond the economy.
Carpenter shared that he already had high-level conversations with the U.S. State Department on creating more cultural and educational exchange programs between Japan and Kentucky. He also told GMI POST of his goal to establish a Japanese immersion school right in the heart of Kentucky.
True to Kentucky’s state motto “United we stand. Divided we fall”, Carpenter believes that the Japanese-Kentucky relationship runs deeper than its common appreciation for development, excellence, and innovation. Rather, a shared understanding of the value of relationships and community spirit makes Kentucky an exceptional choice for Japanese businesses.
